Biography of Fiza Farhan: CEO at Buksh Foundation - Pakistani Entrepreneur
Biography of Fiza Farhan:
Early Roots & Educational Journey
Fiza Farhan was born into a disciplined Pakistani family—her
father served as a naval officer—a background that exposed her early on to
structure, service and responsibility. However, instead of following a
conventional path centred around domesticity, she resolved to pursue higher
education abroad and chart her own trajectory. This decision marked the
beginning of a bold departure from societal norms in Pakistan.
She completed her undergraduate studies at the Lahore
University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and went on to earn a Master’s in
Management from Warwick Business School in the UK. These academic credentials
laid the foundation for her interest in social enterprise, micro-finance, clean
energy and gender inclusion.
Biography of Fiza Farhan: CEO at Buksh Foundation - Pakistani Entrepreneur/Pakistani social entrepreneur and activist/founder of ORA Global Advisors
Founding Social Ventures & Early Career Highlights
In the late 2000s, Fiza co-founded the Buksh Foundation and
its sister enterprise Buksh Energy Private Limited, with a mission to deliver
financial inclusion, renewable energy access and entrepreneurial opportunities
to underserved communities. Under her leadership as CEO, Buksh introduced
Pakistan’s first energy service company (ESCO) model and rolled out the
“Lighting a Million Lives” rural solar initiative, training hundreds of female
entrepreneurs and illuminating thousands of households using clean technology.
Challenging Societal Norms & Embracing Leadership
Raised in a society where women often faced restrictive
expectations, Fiza charted a different course. Rather than accepting a
predetermined role, she harnessed her education and entrepreneurial spirit to
engage in high-impact work. Her drive to make a difference, even in
male-dominated sectors like energy and finance, earned her recognition as a
change-maker and pioneer in Pakistan’s social enterprise ecosystem.
Expanding Influence: Advisory Roles & Policy Advocacy
Beyond her ventures, Fiza has held influential advisory and
leadership roles. She served as a member of the United Nations Secretary‑General’s
High‑Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment and chaired the task force on
women’s empowerment for the Government of Punjab. She also founded ORA Global
Advisors, a strategic consulting firm that amplifies her impact
globally—working on issues of climate change, inclusive finance, youth
development and cross-sector partnerships.
Notable Achievements & Global Recognition
Fiza’s ground-breaking work has been acknowledged
internationally: she was twice included in the Forbes “30 Under 30” list of
social entrepreneurs (2015 & 2016). In April 2025, she was named among the
“Forty Under 40 Global Leaders” at a summit in Dubai—the only Pakistani to
receive that honour at the time. These recognitions reflect her multifaceted
impact across entrepreneurship, women’s leadership and sustainable development.
Legacy & Future Vision
Fiza Farhan’s journey—from defying societal expectations in
Pakistan to leading internationally-recognised social innovation—offers a
compelling blueprint for how entrepreneurship can serve the greater good. Her
legacy lies in the communities empowered, the policies shaped and the mindsets
changed. Looking ahead, she remains focused on scaling inclusive solutions in
energy access, gender equality and sustainable growth—spanning local action and
global advocacy.
Timeline of Key Milestones
- 1980s-2000s:
Raised in a Pakistani naval family; challenges traditional expectations by
pursuing higher education.
- 2008:
Begins her career and soon becomes CEO of the Buksh Foundation.
- 2010s:
Launches major initiatives such as the “Lighting a Million Lives” solar
programme and Pakistan’s first ESCO model.
- 2016:
Publishes her memoir 52 Pearls of Life and begins advising global
development agendas.
- 2025:
Recognised globally as one of “40 Under 40 Global Change-Makers” at the
Dubai Summit.
